Rugby must change “completely†to keep children safe, a leading public health guru has warned.
Allyson Pollock has urged the doctors’ union, the British Medical Association (BMA) to campaign against the sport, arguing its “violence is not ancillaryâ€.
Prof Pollock, of London’s Queen Mary University, made her claims in a new book – and she says there should be a tightening of rules to stop children being exposed to the risk of serious injury.
She said: “We already know that rugby is a major cause of injury, that far from relaxing the rules we should be tightening them further for children, changing the game completely and allowing it to evolve to a safer form of play.
“If rugby were a new medical drug it would be withheld until its efficacy and safety had been proven.
“We would not want our children to be given medicine to improve their mental or physical health if there was little knowledge of its risks and no attempt had been made to collect data on it.
“Why should rugby, with its harmful side effects, be any different?â€
Prof Pollock called on the BMA to step in after it dubbed boxing a “totally unsuitable activity for children.â€
“The BMA could say the same about rugby, but it has so far been silent,†Prof Pollock said.
“If the BMA was willing to stand up to specious arguments over boxing, will it now do the same over rugby?â€
The BMA said it “doesn’t have a policy†on rugby.
Prof Pollock claimed rugby had become “increasingly dangerous†since it turned professional in 1995.
She asked: “Why is it not better regulated?
“The law can be used to protect people.â€
At Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales, a quarter of sports injuries in Aamp;E are rugby-related.
“The injuries seen in AE are only the tip of the iceberg. Many more complaints are dealt with at school or by a GP,†Prof Pollock said.
She argued parents’ views on the sport might change if they knew more.
“Imagine as a parent you were told that over the course of a season, the average risk of serious injury to a player is 17%, or one in six, and that in some schools it is as high as 33%, or one in three,†Prof Pollock said.
“The decision to allow your child to play might alter, especially when coupled with information on the nature and severity of injuries and their long-term consequences.
“It might also change your attitude to injury insurance cover, particularly if you are advised to indemnify your own children against the risk of non-catastrophic injury.â€
She claimed “one might expect†authorities to highlight risks – but said they have not.
Prof Pollock’s son Hamish was badly injured playing rugby. She discussed kids injuries with other parents.
“Sometimes these have resulted in long-term disabilities and, on two occasions, death.
“Parents have told me of their own personal struggles to come to terms with their child’s suffering and their frustration at how little is being done.â€
Some schools insist rugby is compulsory.
Prof Pollock said: “Parents are faced with a choice of allowing their child to be exposed to a risk of injury or removing them from school,
“And there is social pressure too.â€
Prof Pollock claimed she had been subjected to hostility while researching her book.
“Among those who placed obstacles in my path are certain politicians and some rugby professionals, teachers, academics and doctors who behaved at times in ways that were despicable and extraordinary.
“I experienced at first hand bullying and intimidation.â€
Some resorted to “personal abuse and smear and sought to undermine the science and rigour of our work.â€
“I have received hundreds of revolting, offensive, crude and sexist emails and tweets, usually contending that a woman who does not play rugby should not voice an opinion on the sport,†Prof Pollock said.
Jan Cosgrove of children’s rights group Fair Play for Children described the matter as “seriousâ€.
He said: “The WRU must examine what advice it is going to give to schools and clubs.
“There are a pattern of injuries affecting younger players and they have to take notice of that.
“There can be life changing consequences.
“Serious injuries in rugby can affect a person’s whole life. But if it is what kids want to do how much risk can you allow them to be subjected to?
“If it is an issue of compulsory games it is a different issue.
“You can say you are manning them up or whatever, but kids need to be asked a lot more about what it is they are supposed to be doing.â€
The WRU insisted player welfare was “at the heart of everything we do.â€
A spokeswoman said: “The Welsh Rugby Union has thorough safeguarding policies and procedures, which are regularly reviewed and updated.
“We are about to roll out an extensive concussion awareness programme throughout the community game and, in conjunction with St John Cymru Wales, we deliver rugby-specific first aid courses which club coaches, team managers, match officials and volunteers are strongly urged to complete.â€
Teams benefit financially if they have qualified first aiders.
“The WRU is proud of the values and standards represented through rugby and is aware of the benefits of being involved at all levels in the national sport of Wales,†the spokeswoman said.
*Tackling Rugby: What Every Parent Should Know, by Allyson Pollock, is
published on October 7 by Verso Books, priced £9.99.
So, is it REALLY safe for your child to play rugby?
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“
“